2.3 Field Methods
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Proper cleaning of equipment, boots, and so on should be done before leaving
the site. Wherever a risk exists, field personnel should take additional sitespecific appropriate risk management precautions.
2.3.5 Sequence of Field Activities
The recommended sequence of field activities to be conducted by field personnel at the sampling site is as follows:
1. Select/verify sampling site location
2. Take photographs
3. Fill out and affix the label for each sampling bottle to be filled at the
site if you have not already done so
4. Evaluate and document site conditions
5. Verify how many and what kinds of samples will be collected (QA
replicates, single versus integrated sample, special aliquots to be collected into glass bottle or syringe)
6. Collect water samples
7. Preserve (if necessary) or transfer to glass or syringe (as appropriate)
selected sample aliquots
8. Place collected samples in cold, dark storage container
9. Collect any needed ancillary data
10. Determine (if appropriate) stream discharge or stage
11. Complete all site documentation and chain-of-custody forms
12. Record all field observations in field notebook
13. Clean equipment, clothing, and boots to prevent spreading invasive
species to another site
2.3.6 Safety in Field Activities
2.3.6.1 Key Safety Considerations
For safety reasons, an emergency contact individual who is not part of the field
crew should always know where the field crew is going each day and by what
route. This person should be contacted by the field crew immediately on return
from the field each day.
For sampling remote locations, safety equipment should include, but should
not necessarily be limited to, the following:
• two-way radios or cellular telephone (if cell phone access is available
in the study area)
• extra batteries for GPS and radios
• rain gear
75
Proper cleaning of equipment, boots, and so on should be done before leaving
the site. Wherever a risk exists, field personnel should take additional sitespecific appropriate risk management precautions.
2.3.5 Sequence of Field Activities
The recommended sequence of field activities to be conducted by field personnel at the sampling site is as follows:
1. Select/verify sampling site location
2. Take photographs
3. Fill out and affix the label for each sampling bottle to be filled at the
site if you have not already done so
4. Evaluate and document site conditions
5. Verify how many and what kinds of samples will be collected (QA
replicates, single versus integrated sample, special aliquots to be collected into glass bottle or syringe)
6. Collect water samples
7. Preserve (if necessary) or transfer to glass or syringe (as appropriate)
selected sample aliquots
8. Place collected samples in cold, dark storage container
9. Collect any needed ancillary data
10. Determine (if appropriate) stream discharge or stage
11. Complete all site documentation and chain-of-custody forms
12. Record all field observations in field notebook
13. Clean equipment, clothing, and boots to prevent spreading invasive
species to another site
2.3.6 Safety in Field Activities
2.3.6.1 Key Safety Considerations
For safety reasons, an emergency contact individual who is not part of the field
crew should always know where the field crew is going each day and by what
route. This person should be contacted by the field crew immediately on return
from the field each day.
For sampling remote locations, safety equipment should include, but should
not necessarily be limited to, the following:
• two-way radios or cellular telephone (if cell phone access is available
in the study area)
• extra batteries for GPS and radios
• rain gear